NYC Viaduct Finishes Ahead of Schedule

The second phase of the three-phase Atlantic Avenue Viaduct project was delivered six weeks ahead of schedule. This phase of the $64-million project to rehabilitate a century-old viaduct was worked on by the design-build team of Kiewit Constructors, Woodcliff Lake, N.J., and HNTB New York Engineering and Architecture, New York. The team also worked on phase one.

The viaduct, which carries commuters between Jamaica, Queens, and downtown Brooklyn, stretches about a mile and a half. The second phase included removing the upper portion and erecting a new superstructure on existing columns. The work allowed for full rail service to be maintained at all times on one track. It also helped to reduce the cost and duration of construction.

Instead of girder-bolted field splices, the team developed an in-span hinge incorporating a disc bearing that allowed for rapid reconstruction. It also provided for adjustability in alignment and elevation down to 1/8 of an inch, which improved final track geometry.

“Innovations and solutions resulted in a project approach that had a lower construction cost, lower life-cycle cost and faster schedule,” says Guy Decorges, project manager in HNTB's New York office. The project, which began in August 2009, was completed in December of 2010.

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